CyberGhost vs Avira Phantom VPN 2025

Lawrence Wachira Editor

Updated on July 25, 2025

CyberGhost offers a far more rounded experience than Avira Phantom VPN. It strikes an impressive balance of speed, security, and ease of use — making it ideal for anyone who wants a VPN that works for UHD streaming, competitive gaming, remote work, and more. It’s packed with extra tools too, like ad blockers, and auto WiFi protection.

Avira Phantom VPN is much more stripped-down. It’s user-friendly and supports unlimited device connections, which is a nice touch. But it lacks the performance and customization that CyberGhost brings. If all you need is basic protection for a few quick browsing sessions, Avira Phantom VPN will do the trick — just don’t count on it for anything more demanding.

CyberGhost or Avira Phantom VPN: which one should I go for? With over 1.75 billion people globally now relying on VPNs¹, it’s more important than ever to pick one that delivers where it counts. We put both through hands-on testing across 10 core categories, and CyberGhost came out as the better choice for everyday use. It offers more for the price and performs better where it matters most. Here’s how they stack up.

Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

Lowest Price

Coupon (highest discount)

Money Back Guarantee

Number of devices per license

Countries with servers

Keep logs

Available on Platforms

Access to streaming services

Best Choice

Visit Website

$2.19/month

83%

45 days

7

11690

No

Netflix, APV, Disney+ and more

Visit Website

$5.99/month

41%

60 days

Unlimited

1400

No

Netflix, APV, Disney+ and more

Best alternative to CyberGhost VPN

Our Score: 9.9

ExpressVPN is even faster than CyberGhost as per our regular weekly tests. It also had its logging policy and apps verified multiple times, which gives users more confidence in the security of this service. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee* so you can test it risk-free.

Our Score: 9.9

Read more about ExpressVPN

See ExpressVPN's Best Deals

Compare ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost VPN

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www.expressvpn.com

Streaming — CyberGhost Takes the Lead With Dedicated Servers

CyberGhost outshines Avira Phantom VPN when it comes to streaming. With dedicated servers optimized for specific platforms, it makes watching movies and TV shows in perfect HD or 4K on popular services a breeze, from anywhere.

CyberGhost performed well in our streaming tests, especially when using its streaming-optimized servers. These servers are regularly updated to support high-quality playback.

CyberGhost even has specialty servers for Android TV and Firestick

Connections to all dedicated servers stayed stable during HD and 4K streaming sessions, with smooth playback and no noticeable drops in quality or buffering. CyberGhost’s regular servers also held up well, though the optimized ones noticeably loaded videos faster.

None of the CyberGhost servers we tested had disconnects

Avira Phantom VPN occasionally came close to the performance of CyberGhost’s regular servers. However, we often ran into long load times and frequent buffering, which made streaming feel a bit hit-or-miss.

Winner

Which VPN is better for streaming — CyberGhost or Avira Phantom VPN? CyberGhost is far superior for streaming, with dedicated servers for popular platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu — a clear step ahead of what Avira Phantom VPN offers.

Server Network — CyberGhost Dominates With Massive Coverage

CyberGhost’s server network far outshines Avira’s in both size and sophistication. It runs entirely on RAM-based servers, which automatically wipe all data with every reboot — a great privacy feature Avira Phantom VPN doesn’t offer. CyberGhost also provides dedicated IP addresses, ideal for avoiding CAPTCHAs and blocks tied to shared IPs. Avira Phantom VPN doesn’t support this either.

What really sets CyberGhost apart is its variety of specialized servers. Alongside its standard servers, it includes options optimized for streaming, torrenting, gaming, and even NoSpy servers for extra privacy. Each type is clearly labeled in the apps, so finding the right server for your needs is quick and easy.

Avira Phantom VPN’s network just doesn’t measure up. It has fewer servers overall, and in most countries, there’s only a single location, except in the US, UK, and Australia. This limited spread can lead to overcrowded servers and slower speeds during peak times. The free version is even more restrictive, connecting you only to the nearest server with no way to switch locations.

Winner

Which VPN has the better server network, CyberGhost or Avira Phantom VPN? CyberGhost is the clear winner. It has more than eight times the number of servers and includes specialized types for streaming, torrenting, gaming, and enhanced privacy. This broad and well-optimized network gives it a clear edge in speed, reliability, and flexibility.

Speed — CyberGhost Delivers Reliable Performance

Speeds varied across both CyberGhost and Avira Phantom VPN, but CyberGhost maintained consistently excellent results throughout the 3-week testing period. This was largely thanks to its 10Gbps servers and the efficient WireGuard protocol.

Avira Phantom VPN was noticeably slower. Our US-based tester used the default OpenVPN protocol, as most Avira apps don’t support protocol switching — only the Android app allows switching to WireGuard.

On nearby servers like Dallas, CyberGhost dropped our tester’s speed by only 5%, while Avira Phantom VPN cut it by 75%. Such a steep decline can make even simple tasks like browsing or emailing frustrating, especially if your base speed isn’t high. The fastest VPNs we’ve tested keep speed drops below 15% on local and nearby servers, ideal for uninterrupted video calls, 4K streaming, and more, even on public WiFi.

CyberGhost’s Best server location feature auto-selects the fastest server for you based on your network

CyberGhost also held up well on mid-range connections in Europe, dropping our tester’s speed by 47% on servers in France. That result wasn’t surprising — we’ve seen similar performance across many VPNs when connecting over such distances.

On long-distance connections to Singapore, CyberGhost continued to perform reliably, with our speeds dropping by 46%. Avira Phantom VPN didn’t fare as well, with an 81% drop that made it difficult to stream, download, or browse smoothly. That’s significantly higher than what we typically see for servers that far away.

Avira Phantom VPN doesn’t show server load, so it’s hard to tell if this was due to overcrowding

Winner

Which VPN delivers better speed — CyberGhost or Avira Phantom VPN? CyberGhost clearly outshines Avira Phantom VPN on both nearby and long-distance connections. Avira’s VPN shows some promise with WireGuard support on Android, but until that protocol is available across all platforms, its overall speed still leaves a lot to be desired.

Gaming — Avira Phantom VPN Isn’t Too Far Behind CyberGhost

A ping under 100ms is ideal for online gaming, especially in competitive play. It keeps your actions — like shooting or dodging — closely synced with the game, helping you react faster and avoid lag-related frustration.

On nearby servers in Dallas and Los Angeles, both VPNs maintained a low ping — a must for fast-paced games, where every millisecond counts. But CyberGhost pulls ahead with faster overall speeds. That extra boost helps keep the gameplay fluid and stable, even during updates or heavy network activity.

Gaming sessions felt just as smooth with CyberGhost’s gaming servers as without a VPN

Ping jumped above 100ms on far-off servers like Japan, and game loading times dragged so much we often quit before gameplay even started. To be fair, that’s common — we haven’t found a VPN yet that handles long-distance gaming without noticeable delays.

Winner

Which VPN is better for gaming, CyberGhost or Avira Phantom VPN? CyberGhost comes out on top with lower latency, gaming-optimized servers, and more consistent overall performance. Both are fine for casual play, but CyberGhost delivers the speed and stability you need for competitive sessions.

Torrenting — CyberGhost Provides Better P2P Support

We tested both VPNs by downloading a 4.8GB test file using qBittorrent to see how they handled torrenting under real-world conditions.

CyberGhost’s torrenting-optimized servers connected instantly, and the file finished downloading in just over 3 minutes. There were no speed drops, no disconnects, and no need to adjust settings — everything worked right out of the box.

Avira Phantom VPN took nearly three times as long. Since it lacks dedicated P2P servers, performance felt inconsistent, with speeds slowing noticeably as the download progressed.

Both VPNs support secure torrenting, but CyberGhost stands out for its speed, stability, and plug-and-play simplicity. If you download or share files often, it’s the one you’ll want to rely on.

Winner

Which VPN is better for torrenting: CyberGhost or Avira Phantom VPN? CyberGhost wins with dedicated P2P servers, faster download speeds, and a more robust torrenting infrastructure compared to Avira's VPN basic P2P support.

Security — CyberGhost Offers More Comprehensive Protection

Both VPNs offer strong baseline security, but CyberGhost takes it a step further. Military-grade (AES 256-bit) encryption and DNS/IP/WebRTC leak protection come standard — but CyberGhost packs in extra security tools that put it ahead.

CyberGhost packs in a few handy features that make everyday use safer and more convenient. Its automatic WiFi protection detects new networks and launches the VPN right away. There’s also a built-in ad and malware blocker that removes intrusive ads and blocks access to known malicious sites for a safer, cleaner browsing experience. Another helpful tool is Privacy Guard (available on Windows), which allows you to disable intrusive system-level features that may compromise your privacy.

Under App Rules, you can even set CyberGhost to auto-connect when certain apps open

Does CyberGhost still offer a private browser? Not anymore — the feature was phased out in March 2024², so if private browsing is important to you, consider using privacy-focused browsers like Brave or Firefox for a fast and secure experience.

Avira Phantom VPN isn’t without its strengths either. It might not have the more advanced security features, but it does come with built-in antivirus protection, which adds a helpful layer of defense against viruses and malware.

Can the free version of Avira Phantom VPN keep me safe online? Yes, to an extent — but I can’t recommend it, as it lacks a kill switch, a must-have security feature that prevents data leaks if your connection drops. Even with an upgrade, the kill switch is only available on Windows, which limits its overall reliability.

Winner

Which VPN is more secure: CyberGhost or Avira Phantom VPN? CyberGhost is the more secure option. It includes all the essential features you’d expect from a good VPN — some of which Avira Phantom VPN lacks, like split tunneling — along with more advanced tools that give it a clear edge in protection.

Privacy — CyberGhost’s Jurisdiction and Audited Policy Set It Apart

CyberGhost has the edge when it comes to privacy, thanks to its headquarters in Romania. Unlike Germany (Avira’s base), Romania isn’t part of the 14 Eyes Alliance, which means CyberGhost is less likely to be pressured into logging or sharing user data. That alone makes it a more appealing choice if your privacy is a top priority.

Both VPNs follow strict no-logs policies, but CyberGhost backs this up with independent audits and regular transparency reports. Plus, CyberGhost servers run entirely on volatile memory. All these are  clear signs the VPN is serious about keeping your data and browsing activity private.

Avira’s no-logs policy is less transparent by comparison, and its location in Germany means it falls under stricter data-sharing frameworks. As someone who values privacy, that’s something I can’t ignore.

Winner

Which VPN is the most private — CyberGhost or Avira Phantom VPN? CyberGhost is the stronger choice for privacy. It’s based in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction, runs on memory-erasing servers, and follows a proven no-logs policy. Avira also follows a no-logs policy, but offers less transparency and operates from a country with stricter data-sharing laws.

Works in China — Neither VPN Is Reliable

Does CyberGhost work in China? Most likely not — it lacks the advanced obfuscation features the best VPNs for China use to avoid detection and operate consistently under strict network restrictions. If you're heading to China, don't count on CyberGhost or Avira Phantom VPN to maintain a stable connection. Like most VPNs, it's very unlikely they’ll let you safely and uninterruptedly access your usual online services, such as Google, Facebook, or Instagram, while in the country.

Winner - draw

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Which VPN works best in China? Neither CyberGhost nor Avira Phantom VPN holds up well in China — they just can’t keep a steady connection.

Installation & Ease of Use — Both Are Beginner-Friendly, but CyberGhost Has the Edge

Both VPNs offer easy setup and are simple to use — even if you're new to VPNs. CyberGhost packs in more features without overcomplicating things, while Avira Phantom VPN keeps it minimal with a no-frills approach and limited customization.

CyberGhost’s apps strike a solid balance between functionality and ease of use. Servers are organized by purpose, including streaming, gaming, and torrenting, so it’s easy to find the right one. The interface is modern and consistent across most major platforms, making it easy to get around.

Avira takes a more stripped-down approach. The app is clean and minimal, with very few settings to adjust. Like CyberGhost, connecting is as simple as clicking a button. This works well for anyone who just wants protection without the extras.

Each VPN connected on the first try, but CyberGhost pulls ahead with broader platform support — including routers and browser extensions — while Avira sticks to the core desktop and mobile apps.

Winner

Which VPN is easier to use: CyberGhost or Avira Phantom VPN? Both are beginner-friendly and quick to set up. CyberGhost offers more features with a clean, organized interface, while Avira keeps things ultra-simple with minimal settings. CyberGhost edges ahead with broader platform support, including routers and browser extensions.

Reliability & Support — CyberGhost Offers the Best Experience

When support matters, speed and accessibility can make a real difference. Both VPNs provide solid help resources, but CyberGhost stands out with its 24/7 live chat and faster response times. Whether you're new to VPNs or just need a quick fix, getting help through CyberGhost is more straightforward. Avira Phantom VPN covers the basics but falls short when it comes to real-time support.

CyberGhost makes it easy to get help when you need it. Live chat is available 24/7, and you can get real answers from a human in just a few minutes, even on weekends. Email support is available, though not as fast — but you likely won’t need it, thanks to the detailed setup guides and helpful knowledge base.

Avira Phantom VPN’s support is a bit more hands-off. There’s no live chat, so your options are limited to email or phone — and email replies can take a while. The help center covers the basics, but if you're looking for more in-depth answers, you'll probably have to dig around.

Winner

Which VPN has better support — CyberGhost or Avira Phantom VPN? CyberGhost wins here. It’s faster, easier to reach, and more beginner-friendly. Avira covers the essentials, but if you're looking for quick answers and real-time help, CyberGhost is the better bet.

Pricing

	CyberGhost VPN	Avira Phantom VPN
Lowest Price	$2.19/month	$5.99/month
Money Back Guarantee	45 days	60 days
Number of devices per license	7	Unlimited

CyberGhost offers better long-term value, and it does so at a lower price. While Avira Phantom VPN looks appealing with unlimited device connections, it’s almost three times the price of CyberGhost and doesn’t offer nearly as many features.

Both VPNs come with a money-back guarantee, so you can try them risk-free — but CyberGhost gives you more for your money — from streaming-optimized servers and faster speeds to a better no-logs policy and built-in security extras. Plus, its 45-day money-back guarantee (on long-term purchases) is generous, and the 7-device limit is more than enough to cover all your personal devices.

When you stack up what each VPN offers for the price, CyberGhost really stands out. It’s budget-friendly, feature-rich, and offers the kind of performance you’d expect from a high-quality VPN.

Winner

Which VPN offers better value — CyberGhost or Avira Phantom VPN? CyberGhost wins by a wide margin. It’s more affordable, more powerful, and packed with features that actually improve your online experience. Avira may work for basic use on mobile and desktop, but for everything else — CyberGhost is the better deal.

Our Methodology for Testing CyberGhost vs Avira Phantom VPN

Our goal was to see where each VPN shines — and where it falls short. We ran hands-on tests focused on real-world use: how well each VPN handles streaming, downloads, gaming, and everyday browsing. That included measuring speeds on both nearby and distant servers, checking latency, and watching for drops or interruptions during use.

We also tested security features like DNS/IP leak protection, kill switch reliability, and overall connection stability. On top of that, we looked at each provider’s logging policy, jurisdiction, and whether they’ve undergone independent audits — key indicators of how seriously they take privacy. And of course, we didn’t ignore usability. We tested how smooth and intuitive the apps feel on popular devices, how the servers are organized, and whether it’s easy to connect and navigate.

CyberGhost vs Avira Phantom VPN — Reddit Opinions

Reddit users tend to lean toward CyberGhost over Avira Phantom VPN. CyberGhost gets a lot of love for its reliable streaming, solid speeds, and wide server network. It’s often described as consistent and easy to use. Avira, on the other hand, gets more mixed reactions. Some folks like its simplicity, but others say it struggles with heavier tasks like streaming or gaming.

CyberGhost shows up often in recommendation threads, especially for torrenting, streaming, and gaming. Redditors frequently mention its smooth performance across devices and highlight its Romania-based jurisdiction as a plus for privacy-conscious users.

Avira Phantom VPN’s mentions usually center on its simplicity and free version. While the unlimited device connections are a nice touch, many redditors feel the small server network and slower speeds make it less ideal for everyday use.